Tag: wedding clothes
Dress for success!
Scripture reading for February 1st: Matthew 22
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Matthew 22:11-14 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless. “Then the king told the attendants, ‘tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are invited, but few are chosen.””
Towards the very end of His earthly ministry, Jesus told this parable about a wedding for the king’s son and a guest who came without a proper wedding garment. The man was confronted by the king, and he was without excuse and speechless. The king had him thrown outside, bound hand and foot. Jesus concluded the parable with “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”
This parable speaks to us today about our need to respond properly to the invitation to the wedding feast of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ! We need to accept the wedding garment of His righteousness to be properly clothed and say ‘yes’ to the King’s invitation through His ambassadors, the ‘Church!’ Those who come thinking they are good just as they are will be in for a rude surprise! The only ‘clothes’ come by grace through faith in Jesus Christ! (Ephesians 2:8-9) All are invited to this wedding banquet, but few will chose to come properly dressed!
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers will wear garments of Christ’s righteousness and be watching for the Bridegroom’s return! Some will be surprised and left out! “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12) “I will clothe her priests with salvation and her saints will ever sing for joy.” (Psalm 132:16)
The King’s wedding banquet!
Scripture reading for October 11th: Matthew 20-23
“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.” Matthew 22:2-3
We read in the previous chapter that the chief priests and Pharisees knew that the parables that they heard were about them. They were jealous because many people were following Jesus and thought He was a prophet. (Matthew 21:45-46) They were looking for a way to arrest Jesus but He gave them another parable.
The King was God the Father who sent His only Son to earth. His plan was to gather a bride for His Son from those who would believe and follow Him. He came to the Jews first because Israel was long considered the betrothed wife of God! When the banquet was ready, servants were sent to remind the guests of the banquet. These servants were the prophets, up to and including John the Baptist. The people of Israel gave excuses and most failed to respond. Worse than that, they beat the servants of the King and killed them. (Matthew 22:5-7) The king sent his army and destroyed those murderers and their city. This likely refers to the Babylonian captivity.
The King then instructed His servants to go into the highways and street corners and find those who would come to His Son’s wedding banquet. Many responded to the urgent invitation. But one attended the banquet not properly clothed for a wedding. This person was confronted and cast out into outer darkness where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 22:13)
“Many are invited, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14) Jesus concluded this parable with these sobering words. The invitation to His wedding banquet has gone out to all the world. Many have responded and others have chosen to not respond for various excuses. These excuses will keep them out of the joys of the King’s presence. Others choose to come on their own terms and will be forcibly cast out at the last judgment. Only the robes given by the King’s Son will be proper attire. Have you responded to the King’s invitation?